Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 83,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

About the Department

The English Department engages students in reflective reading, creative inquiry, critical analysis, and effective expression. The study of literature, writing, film, and visual media prepares graduates to pursue a variety of careers, including law, business, government, professional writing, publishing, and education. These studies also prepare students for graduate programs.

The Department of English offers four major emphases: literature, literature with a teaching endorsement, creative writing, and creative writing with a teaching endorsement. All four programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts in English. English: Literature Emphasis focuses on the study of literature in historical and cultural contexts and includes course work in English language and literature, literary and rhetorical theory, creative writing and composition, technical writing, film, and visual media. English: Creative Writing Emphasis focuses on writing in fiction, drama, poetry, and in nonfiction prose, and it is complemented by courses in language and literature. We also offer two parallel degrees that include a teaching endorsement, for those who wish to pursue teaching on the secondary level.

The Department of English provides a dynamic intellectual environment and learning community. Faculty members introduce new genres, fields and methods of critical inquiry, and technologies to provide our students with the best possible education. The department offers small, student-centered classes, innovative pedagogy, and close faculty-student interaction. English faculty members have earned numerous awards for excellence in teaching, research, and writing; they are nationally and internationally recognized in creative and critical fields. Our students have amassed an impressive record of placement in graduate programs and professional positions.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the English Department support Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

About the Position

The Department, the College, and the University value teaching and we expect you to be an exemplary teacher; to be current in your discipline; to engage students actively in their own learning, including discussion, writing, and analysis; and to maintain high standards regarding course content. We expect you to provide students with feedback on their course work and examinations, and to be available to students through regularly-scheduled office hours. You will be expected to have your students evaluate your courses using the standard University evaluation forms and to make those evaluations available to the department chair and faculty for annual review.

Required Qualifications

MA/MFA or above in English, Linguistics, Rhetoric and Composition, Film Studies, Technical Writing, or Creative Writing

Demonstrated successful experience teaching at the college or university level

Demonstrated commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

PhD in English, Linguistics, Rhetoric and Composition, Technical Writing, or Film Studies; or MFA in Creative Writing

Demonstrated currency in the discipline

Salary

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Bargaining Unit

United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

A cover letter and curriculum vitae are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications, including your demonstrated commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds. Candidates should also upload two sets of evaluations of your teaching from students in college or university courses, a one-page statement describing your teaching philosophy and pedagogy, and a list of courses (name and number) that you have taught at the college or university level.

You will be asked to provide the contact information of three references.

Closing Date Notes

Open continuously

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the office of the Vice President for enrollment and Student Services. The report can be found at http://www.wwu.edu/vpess/annualsafetyreport.shtml.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.

With 15,000 students, 160 academic programs, and an energized campus community, Western offers the focus on students and the faculty access of a smaller college and the academic choice, resources, multicultural diversity, and room to grow of a large university. Western is located in beautiful Bellingham, a scenic coastal city of approximately 80,000 situated between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. With easy access to both the Cascade mountain range and the Pacific coast, the region is rich in cultural events and attractions as well as many recreational activities. Western is known nationally for its successes, including being named the top public master’s granting university in the Pacific Northwest by U. S. News and World Report and one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education.